PORTABLE BICYCLE STAND

Abstract

A stand for a bicycle having a wheel, which stand holds the bicycle in an upright position of use on a horizontal surface. The stand comprises a trough having an upwardly open receptacle which is dimensioned and configured to receive the wheel in close cooperation therewith. One or more feet may be manually coupled to the trough to project laterally therefrom to steady the trough on the horizontal surface. The feet may slide fit to the trough, fasten by threaded fasteners, or may fold for stowage within the trough and swing out into a deployed position. The trough may include a storage compartment for bicycle tools and repair materials.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 USC 120 of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 13/324,292, filed Dec. 13, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to stands for supporting bicycles in an upright position on a flat horizontal surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bicycles must frequently be transported from one location to another, and when not in use, appropriately supported so that they do not lie on the horizontal surface, or fall down. Also, it may be desirable to support a bicycle in an upright position of use without requiring hand grip, as may for example be necessary for repair and maintenance work.

Bicycles are frequently provided with so-called kick stands, which typically comprise a prop leg which is mounted on the bicycle and can be swung between a stowed position and a deployed position. Racks have been proposed for supporting groups of bicycles en masse in public places. While these devices generally serve their purposes, it is desirable to better support bicycles, which may be quite expensive. Because an owner of a bicycle cannot depend on a suitable bicycle stand or rack being available when and where the owner may want, it is desirable to provide a suitable stand or support which is portable, compact, and which securely holds a bicycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a secure, compact stand for bicycles which supports the bicycle in the upright position. The stand rests directly on a suitable flat horizontal surface, such as the ground or the floor of a building. The stand may be ganged to support a group of bicycles.

The novel stand comprises a trough configured to receive the wheel of a bicycle in close cooperation therewith. Preferably, the trough is configured to receive a wheel having an inflated tire installed thereon, although the trough may be configured to receive a wheel in the absence of a tire if desired. For brevity, the present invention will refer to wheels of bicycles with the understanding that the wheel may or may not have a tire installed thereon. The trough is provided with feet to assure that the bicycle be retained therein and oppose spontaneous tumbling of the bicycle from the supported position. The feet may be manually detachable and installed.

According to one implementation of the invention, a trough may be provided in a size accommodating a relatively large tire. Adapting liners may be provided which may be manually inserted into and removed from the receptacle of the trough, which adapating liners may have the effect of reducing the receptacle so as to cooperate closely with a wheel of dimensions less than that of the large tire.

It is an object of the invention to provide a self-supporting stand for holding a bicycle in an upright position.

Another object of the invention is that the stand be compact for stowage and transport.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a side view of a bicycle wheel held within a stand according to at least one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view showing the stand of FIG. 1 in cross section.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stand of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a component of the stand of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the component of FIG. 3, showing an early stage of folding for stowage.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the component of FIG. 4, showing a final stage of folding for stowage.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the stand of FIG. 2, with the component shown fully folded and in a stowage position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side detail view of the right side of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the right side of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another stand for a bicycle, according to at least one further aspect of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective detail view of part of another stand for a bicycle, according to at least one further aspect of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an optional adapting liner.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention with a plurality of troughs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1A, according to at least one aspect of the invention, a stand 100 is shown supported on a horizontal surface 2, for the purpose of holding a first wheel 4 mounted on a bicycle (not shown in its entirety) in an upright position when the bicycle is not in use. It should be noted at this point that orientational terms such as upright refer to the subject drawing as viewed by an observer. The drawing figures depict their subject matter in orientations of normal use, which could obviously change with changes in posture and position of a user or a bicycle. Therefore, orientational terms must be understood to provide semantic basis for purposes of description, and do not limit the invention or its component parts in any particular way.

The nature of the stand 100 is better understood when examining FIG. 2. The stand 100 is seen to comprise a trough 102 defining a primary receptacle 104. The primary receptacle 104 is upwardly open, and is preferably dimensioned and configured to receive the wheel 4 by lowering the wheel 4 into the primary receptacle 104 from above when the stand 100 is in the position of use depicted in FIG. 1A.

The stand comprises a plurality of stabilizing feet 106, 108 each of which is manually movable to a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the trough 102. The deployed position is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2. In the deployed position, each stabilizing foot 106 or 108 is fixed to and projects laterally from the trough 102 in a direction generally parallel to the axle 6 of the first wheel 4, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2.

In the implementation of FIG. 2, the feet 106, 108 are each part of two folding foot assemblies represented by the folding foot assembly 110, which enable each foot 106 or 108 to fold into and be stowed within the primary receptacle 104 of the trough 102.

The nature of the folding foot assembly 110 is explained with reference to FIGS. 3-6. FIG. 2 shows the folding foot assemblies in the deployed position, wherein the feet 106, 108 project laterally from the trough 102 so as to stabilize the stand 100 against spontaneous tumbling or falling of bicycles from the position they would assume with a wheel supported as seen in FIG. 1A. The folding foot assembly 110 may comprise two feet 106, 112 held together by a hinge 114. The larges faces 116, 118 of the respective feet 106, 112 are held facing one another in close proximity in the stowed position depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, and to fold open to occupy a common plane, as seen in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 depicts an intermediate stage of folding, wherein the feet 106, 112 pivot about the axis 120 of the hinge 114. The folding foot assembly 110 further comprises an axle 122 pivotally mounted to the trough 102. The axle 122 is disposed to pivot about its pivot axis 124 between the stowed position shown in FIG. 6, wherein the feet 106, 112 are contained at least partially within the primary receptacle 104 of the trough 102, and the deployed position of FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein the feet 106, 112 are external to the trough 102.

In summary, the feet 106, 112 may be moved from the stowed position seen in FIG. 6 to the deployed position of FIGS. 2 and 3 in the following way. First, the feet 106, 112 may be swung downwardly from their position partially occupying the receptacle 104, as seen in FIG. 6, by pivoting the feet 106, 112 about the axis 124 of the axle 122. Pivoting motion is indicated in FIG. 2 by an arrow 130. Once free of constraint due to the outer walls 126, 128 of the trough 102, the feet 106, 112 may be swung out of the parallel position seen in FIG. 5 to a spread position seen in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows an intermediate position of pivot, with each foot 106 or 112 being pivoted as indicated by respective arrows 132, 134. Once the feet 106, 112 are fully spread apart as seen in FIG. 3, they may be simultaneously pivoted upwardly about the axis 124 until their respective large faces 116, 118 contact the bottom of the trough 102, as seen in FIG. 2. The stand 100 is now stabilized.

Any stand according to the present invention may comprise a storage compartment 136, which for purposes of illustration may be formed in the trough 102 of the stand 100. That portion of the trough 102 to the right of the bottom of the receptacle 104 may be hollow to define the storage compartment 136. The storage compartment 136 may open to the exterior of the trough 102 without communicating with the receptacle 104, and thus provides a storage space which avoids intruding upon the primary receptacle 104 of the trough 102. The storage compartment is also seen in FIG. 1B.

Referring also to FIG. 8, the storage compartment 136 may comprise an openable closure 138, which openable closure may take the form of a flexible web 140 which removably engages the trough 102. The trough 102 may comprise a hook 142 disposed on the trough 102 in a location wherein the openable closure 138 may engage and be retained to the hook. Engagement is seen in FIG. 8.

The trough 102 may be provided with a plurality of snap fasteners 144, 146 on the sides thereof, as seen in FIG. 7, to engage and retain the openable closure 138. The web 140 may be drawn tightly over the end of the trough 102 so that it slightly overlaps the sides of the trough 102. Complementing snap fasteners 148, 150 may be snap fit to the snap fasteners 144, 146 when appropriately overlying the same. The snap fasteners 144, 146, 148, 150 are shown on one side of the trough 102. A similar arrangement (not shown) may be provided in mirror image orientation on the opposing side of the trough 102 if desired.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative to the folding feet 106, 112 of FIGS. 1A and 2. In FIG. 9, a stand 200 may comprise a trough 202 defining a primary receptacle 104. The primary receptacle 204 is upwardly open, and is preferably dimensioned and configured to receive the wheel 4 by lowering the wheel 4 into the primary receptacle 204 from above when the stand 200 is in a the position of use such as that depicted in FIG. 1A. The stand 200 may have feet 206, 208 each secured to the trough 202 by a threaded fastener arrangement disposed to hold the stabilizing feet 206, 208 in a deployed position such as that shown in FIGS. 1A and 2. The threaded fastener arrangement may include threaded fasteners such as wing nuts 210, 212. The foot 208 may be similarly provided as the foot 206. Preferably, the trough 202 is provided with threaded holes (not shown) corresponding to the threading of the shafts of the wing nuts 210, 212. Also, the feet 206, 208 may bear preformed holes (not shown) to pass the shafts of the wing nuts 210, 212. The wing nuts 210,212 may be manually tightened and loosened for installation and removal of the feet 206, 208.

FIG. 10 shows a further alternative to the folding feet 106, 112 of FIGS. 1A and 2. In FIG. 10, a stand 300 (not shown in its entirety) may comprise a trough 302 defining a primary receptacle 304. The primary receptacle 304 is upwardly open, and is preferably dimensioned and configured to receive the wheel 4 by lowering the wheel 4 into the primary receptacle 304 from above when the stand 300 is in the position of use such as that depicted in FIG. 1A. The stand 300 may have a channel 310 which is dimensioned and configured to receive a foot 306 by slide fit as the foot 306 is moved into the deployed position. Of course, the foot 306 is configured and dimensioned to be received in close fit by the channel 310.

FIG. 11 shows an optional feature of the invention. A stand 400 may comprise a trough 402 defining a primary receptacle 404. The primary receptacle 404 is upwardly open, and is preferably dimensioned and configured to receive the wheel 4 by lowering the wheel 4 into the primary receptacle 404 from above when the stand 400 is in the position of use such as that depicted in FIG. 1A. The stand 400 may have feet (not shown) of any suitable type, such as those shown and described herein. The salient feature of the stand 400 is not feet, but rather an adapting liner 406 which is dimensioned and configured to be received in close cooperation within the primary receptacle 404 of the trough 400. The adapting liner 406 in turn comprises a secondary receptacle 408 of dimensions smaller than those of the primary receptacle 404 of the trough 402. The secondary receptacle 408 is dimensioned and configured to receive a second wheel (not shown) in close cooperation therewith. The second wheel may be generally similar to the first wheel 4 of FIG. 1A, but is of tire width less than that of the first wheel 4. This feature enables the stand 400 to accommodate wheels such as the wheel 4 of different nominal widths and purposes. Thus the stand 400, or any stand provided with a feature comparable to the adapting liner 406, may be used interchangeably with racing bicycles, road bicycles, and mountain bicycles, for example, by utilizing an appropriate adapting liner such as the adapting liner 406.

The adapting liner 406 may be of external dimensions and configuration so as to be tightly and closely received within the receptacle 404 (this option is not shown). As an alternative, the external dimensions and configuration of the adapting liner 406 may be sufficiently smaller than the corresponding surface of the receptacle 404 so that a gap exists between the two. In the case of such an occurrence, the stand 400 may be provided with at least one, and if desired a plurality of adapters 410, 412, 414, 416 each which is dimensioned and configured to fill such a gap.

FIG. 12 shows a stand 500 for a plurality of bicycles (not shown). Each of the bicycles has at least one first wheel mounted thereon, such as the wheel 4 of FIG. 1B. The stand 500 comprising a plurality of troughs such as troughs 502A, 502B, 502C. Each trough 502A, 502B, 502C has a respective primary receptacle 504A, 504B, or 504C. which is dimensioned and configured to receive one wheel of one bicycle in close cooperation therewith. The stand 500 comprises a base 506 disposed to connect the troughs 502A, 502B, 502C together in a deployed position such as that seen in FIG. 1A, such that the primary receptacles 504A, 504B, 504C of the troughs 502A, 502B, 502C all open upwardly when the troughs 502A, 502B, 502C are placed on a horizontal surface such as the horizontal surface 2. The troughs 502A, 502B, 502C are stabilized against spontaneous tumbling of bicycles supported by placing one first wheel of each bicycle in one primary receptacle 504A, 504B, 504C of their respective troughs 502A, 502B, 502C. The base 506 may comprise a closed loop of tubes which engages channels 508A, 508B, 508C formed in the bottom surfaces of the troughs 502A, 502B, 502C. Engagement of the channels 508A, 508B, 508C may be frictional, or alternatively, may comprise a threaded fastener (not shown) or other fastener for reinforcing securement of the troughs 502A, 502B, 502C. Preferably, connection using friction or a fastener enables manual attachment to and removal of the base 506 from the troughs 502A, 502B, 502C. As seen, the base 506 may connect the troughs 502A, 502B, 502C together such that the troughs 502A, 502B, 502C are disposed abreast of and parallel to one another. Connection may rely upon a threaded fastener arrangement similar to that seen in FIG. 9 for example.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible

Claims

1. A stand for a bicycle having at least one first wheel mounted thereon, comprising a trough having a primary receptacle which is dimensioned and configured to receive the first wheel in close cooperation therewith, and at least one stabilizing foot which is manually movable to a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the trough, and which in a deployed position is fixed to and projects laterally from the trough in a direction generally parallel to the axle of the first wheel.

2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the trough comprises a channel disposed to receive the stabilizing foot by slide fit in the deployed position.

3. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand comprises a threaded fastener arrangement disposed to hold the stabilizing foot in the deployed position.

4. The stand of claim 1, wherein the foot is disposed to fold into and be stowed within the primary receptacle of the trough.

5. The stand of claim 1, wherein the foot comprises a folding foot assembly comprising two feet, and a hinge disposed to hold the two feet together with their largest faces facing one another in close proximity in a stowed position, and to fold open to occupy a common plane.

6. The stand of claim 5, wherein the folding foot assembly further comprises an axle pivotally mounted to the trough and disposed to pivot between the stowed position, wherein the feet are contained at least partially within the primary receptacle of the trough, and a deployed position wherein the feet are external to the trough.

7. The stand of claim 1, further comprising a storage compartment formed in the trough, which said storage compartment opens to the exterior of the trough and provides a storage space which avoids intruding upon the primary receptacle of the trough.

8. The stand of claim 7, further comprising an openable closure for the storage compartment.

9. The stand of claim 8, wherein the openable closure comprises a flexible web which removably engages the trough.

10. The stand of claim 9, further comprising a hook disposed on the trough in a location wherein the openable closure may engage and be retained to the hook.

11. The stand of claim 9, further comprising at least one snap fastener disposed to engage and retain the openable closure.

12. A stand for a plurality of bicycles each having at least one first wheel mounted thereon, comprising a plurality of troughs each having a primary receptacle which is dimensioned and configured to receive one said first wheel in close cooperation therewith, and a base disposed to connect the troughs together in a deployed position such that the primary receptacles of the troughs all open upwardly when the troughs are placed on a horizontal surface, and such that the troughs are stabilized against spontaneous tumbling of bicycles supported by placing one first wheel of each bicycle in one primary receptacle of one trough.

13. The stand of claim 12, wherein the base connects the troughs together such that the troughs are disposed abreast of and parallel to one another.

14. The stand of claim 12, wherein the stand is manually attachable to and removable from the troughs.

15. The stand of claim 14, further comprising a threaded fastener arrangement disposed to hold the stabilizing foot in the deployed position.

16. The stand of claim 14, further comprising an adapting liner which is dimensioned and configured to be received in close cooperation within the primary receptacle of the trough and which in turn comprises a secondary receptacle of dimensions smaller than those of the primary receptacle of the trough, wherein the secondary receptacle is dimensioned and configured to receive a second wheel in close cooperation therewith, wherein the second wheel is of tire width less than that of the first wheel.

17. The stand of claim 16, further comprising:

an adapting liner which is dimensioned and configured to be received in cooperation within the primary receptacle of the trough and which in turn comprises a secondary receptacle of dimensions smaller than those of the primary receptacle of the trough, wherein the secondary receptacle is dimensioned and configured to receive a second wheel in close cooperation therewith, wherein the second wheel is of tire width less than that of the first wheel; and

at least one adapter which is dimensioned and configured to fill a gap between the trough and the adapting liner.